Chapter 6

ISABELLA'S POV

“You don't have to repay me, Alpha Terrence. I helped because I couldn't leave you to die.”

Terrence nodded and reached for the cup of water beside him. His wound was healing, though he still needed to be careful with his movements. After spending so long recovering in the cave, he was eager to return to his territory, and I was ready to find somewhere I could support myself.

He glanced at the herbs I was sorting beside the fire.

“What will you do once you leave these mountains?”

“I haven't settled on a particular place yet,” I admitted. “I'm hoping to find work somewhere. I'd be willing to take a position as a maid if that's what I could find. I need to earn enough to support myself and eventually find a place of my own.”

“The Blue Moon Clan could be a good place to start.”

I looked at him. “Your territory?”

He nodded. “There are households and businesses that employ people. You could look for work once you're settled, and I'll arrange somewhere for you to stay in the meantime.”

It was more help than I'd expected, and it gave me a practical way to move forward. I didn't want to depend on anyone indefinitely, but having somewhere to stay while I searched for work would make the difference between starting over and struggling to survive.

“If you're certain I won't be inconveniencing you, I'd be grateful to come with you.”

“You won't be. We'll leave as soon as I'm strong enough to travel.”

“Then you should concentrate on recovering. I don't want you reopening that wound because you're impatient to get home.”

He smiled. “I'll try to be a good patient.”

“Please do.”

Over the following days, Terrence regained enough strength to travel. I continued tending to his wound until he could walk without too much discomfort, and once he was fit to leave, we gathered our belongings and set out for the Blue Moon Clan.

Several days later, the settlement came into view.

The road led us past market stalls crowded with customers and shops where merchants called out their prices. A cart loaded with fresh produce rattled across the uneven ground, forcing two children to jump aside before its driver could rein in the horses. Nearby, a woman scolded a young wolf for reaching into a basket of apples, and his excuses only made her more determined to catch him.

Terrence greeted the guards at the entrance. They bowed and opened the gates, welcoming their Alpha home. As we continued through the settlement, people stopped to greet him, and a few called after him to ask when he had returned. He answered some of them as we walked, never appearing bothered by the interruptions.

“Your people are pleased to have you back,” I remarked.

“I'm sure they'll be happier once they know I'm not planning to disappear into the mountains again anytime soon,” he replied.

I laughed, and he gave me an amused glance before leading me toward his residence.

Servants met us at the entrance, one taking our travel bundles while another hurried inside to inform the household of Terrence's return. He acknowledged their greetings and led me through the hall, where staff were already preparing for the evening meal.

His residence was busy without feeling chaotic. People knew their duties, and Terrence's return brought a fresh round of greetings as we made our way upstairs.

He showed me to the guest chambers overlooking the gardens. Fresh linen covered the bed, and a fire warmed the space against the evening chill. After days in the mountains, the comfort was welcome, though I reminded myself that this was a temporary arrangement until I could find work.

“You can stay here while you look for work,” Terrence said. “I'll introduce you to Mara. She oversees the household and can help you settle in.”

“Thank you, Alpha Terrence. I appreciate what you're doing for me.”

“You've done enough for me already. Get some rest. We can discuss everything else tomorrow.”

After he left, I washed away the dust of the journey and changed into clean clothes. I had barely finished when a knock sounded at the door. Terrence was waiting in the corridor beside a middle-aged woman wearing a deep-blue uniform, her dark hair pinned neatly at the nape of her neck.

“Ella, this is Mara,” he said. “She oversees the household.”

Mara greeted me with a courteous smile. “It's a pleasure to meet you.”

“Likewise.”

Terrence turned to her. “Ella will be staying with us while she looks for work. Please make sure she has what she needs.”

“Of course, Alpha.”

Mara asked me to accompany her, then showed me the parts of the residence I would need to know about. As we walked, I asked about the household staff and whether there were places in the settlement where I could inquire about work. She answered without hesitation and offered to tell me whom I should speak to once I was ready to begin looking.

Her willingness to help made the arrangement feel less uncertain. I wasn't being promised a position or handed a future I hadn't earned; I was being given time to find my own way.

When Mara finished showing me around, I thanked her and returned to the guest chambers. My belongings were still packed in a small bundle, and unpacking them took only a few minutes. I placed my clothes in the wardrobe and set the few things I owned beside the bed.

There wasn't much to arrange, but at least I knew where I would sleep that night and where I could begin looking for work in the morning.

My name was Ella now. I would answer to it, introduce myself by it, and build my life around it. No one here needed to know anything about the woman I had been before.